Krakow Adventure and Nature Activities

Krakow is a medieval city with a wide range of activities that combine adventure and nature. During your stay you won't have time to waste, as you will find plenty of things to see and do in Krakow. From joining a rafting experience on the Dunajec River to relaxing in the botanical garden where nature comes alive. Among the various options, you can also enjoy exciting outdoor tours and breathtaking panoramas from the Kościuszko Mound, among other things.

Cruising the Vistula River is a must-do adventure during your visit to Krakow in 2 days or more. You will discover the city's skyline from a different perspective, enjoy a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful natural surroundings.

This experience will allow you to cross the entire city from the Vistula River, considered the most important river in Poland . You will be able to observe the most emblematic historical, cultural and religious destinations of Krakow, located on both sides of the river. And all this while listening to an audio guide.

Some of the places you will be able to see on this Vistula River cruise are:

• Krakow Castle, an imposing construction on Wawel Hill that served as a royal residence and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Kazimierz district, better known as the iconic Jewish quarter of Krakow.
• The Bernatka Bridge, decorated with dozens of picturesque padlocks, placed by couples as a symbol of their love.
• The House of the Polish Pope John Paul II, converted into an important museum.

Information of interest

• Price: from 20€ per person.
• Duration: usually lasts 1 hour.

In the metropolitan area of this Polish city are the Wieliczka Salt Mines, a natural subway space of great beauty that will surprise you. I propose you to enjoy a different adventure to this emblematic destination.

It is a subway world of salt that will amaze you. You will find galleries, brine lakes, traces of mineral extraction and even a chapel of Santa Kinga, among other things. You will be immersed in Polish history and have the opportunity to take photos of the Wieliczka Salt Mines if you wish.

This type of tour to the Wieliczka Salt Mines from Krakow usually starts with a pick-up from your hotel or meeting point in the city. You will then travel about 20 minutes by car to the mines, taking in the beautiful Polish countryside as you go. Upon arrival you will be connected with a guide who will accompany you to explore this labyrinth of tunnels of about 3 km.

Information of interest

• Price: from 88€ per person. Includes guide and round-trip transfer.
• Duration: this excursion to the Salt Mines from Krakow takes about 6 hours.

If you are enthusiastic about adventures on wheels, I recommend taking a cycling tour in Krakow. You will see the city from a different perspective and enjoy the surrounding nature. It is an ideal plan during the summer, that is, if you are in Krakow between May and August, because the weather is warm and pleasant.

You can take the cycling route along the Vistula, observing the calm waters of this important river and the boats that sail on it. I also recommend you to visit the old Tyniec Monastery on the banks of the river (12 kilometers from the city center).

You can also pass through the old town, the Market Square, the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, the Wawel Castle, among others. The route will depend on whether you join a bike tour of Krakow or rent a bike and do it at your own pace.

Useful information

• Price: from 83€ per person.
• Duration: if you take a guided tour, it could take around 3 hours. However, if you are on your own, it will depend on how long you have hired the rental for.

The Polish city has a space dedicated to the animal kingdom, the Krakow Zoo. There, you will contemplate various species of exotic animals in a natural environment and you will be able to observe them, interact with some of them and learn interesting facts about them.

In this zoo you will have the opportunity to see more than 1500 animals belonging to at least 260 species. Some of them include lemurs, snow leopards, small pandas, Indian elephants, dwarf hippopotamuses, Humboldt penguins, etc. Remember that in summer in Krakow, the animals are usually more active than during the cold months, when they are hibernating.

As tips for traveling to Krakow and doing this activity, take into consideration that the enclosure is on the outskirts of the city. Therefore, it would be a good idea to buy tickets for the zoo with private transfer from the hotel.

Useful information

• Price: the price of the entrance to the zoo with transfer starts at 21€ per person.
• Opening hours: if you visit Krakow in winter or autumn, the zoo is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. In spring and summer the zoo is open until 19:00.

A rafting experience is another must-do if you are in Krakow and are passionate about water sports. You will live an adrenaline-filled adventure on the choppy waters of the Dunajec River; a tributary of the Vistula River located in the outskirts of Krakow.

Once on the banks of the Dunajec, you will board a raft and, accompanied by an expert, you will participate in an exciting descent down the river while contemplating an important sample of Polish nature such as the Pieniny Mountains.

After this moment of direct connection with nature, you can return to the bustling but fun Polish city to continue with your activities. A good option is to combine the experience with a guided tour of the center or take a panoramic tour on the Krakow Sightseeing Bus.

Useful information

• Price: from 150€ (approx.).
• Duration: about 7 hours.

I propose you to live a different adventure during your stay: escape from the hustle and bustle of the streets and take an excursion through the stunning natural and historical areas surrounding the city. You will enjoy the biodiversity and contemplate a privileged landscape.

There are several tours and excursions from Krakow that you can do on your own or with a guide. Some of them are the following:

Excursion to Ojców National Park

This excursion to Ojców National Park from Krakow will allow you to enjoy the Polish nature. You will be able to explore more than 400 caves, observe birds in their natural habitat, go rock climbing and hike low-impact hiking tra ils.

• Price: from 150€ per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours.

Excursion to Plaszów Concentration Camp

A good option if you are interested in the subject of the Jewish Holocaust is the excursion to the Plaszów Concentration Camp (only 15 minutes drive from the city center). Upon arrival, you will see the impressive open-air quarries, used to recreate the concentration camp in the movie Schindler's List, and the former SS (Nazi paramilitary organization) building, among other things.

• Price: approximately 35€ per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Kayaking on the Vistula River is a very popular activity among water sports enthusiasts. If this is your case, don't hesitate to incorporate this adventure into your itinerary. You will get a unique perspective of the city and its main attractions while paddling at your own pace.

On the banks of the Vistula you will board a single or double kayak, as you wish. Once you start paddling, you will be able to see some points such as the Wawel Hill, the Manggha Museum, the Church on the Rockel that stands out in Kazimierz or the Jewish quarter of Krakow, among others.

You will not only enjoy the environment and the experience, you will also have the opportunity to take amazing pictures. Afterwards, you can get closer to those places seen from the kayak, for example, by taking a guided tour to the Wawel Castle in Krakow, which stands out on the homonymous hill.

Interesting information

• Price: the average price for renting a kayak on the Vistula River is 7€ per person.
• Duration: this kayaking experience usually lasts a minimum of 30 minutes.

If you want to connect with nature and the city' s historical past, you'll love taking a stroll through Planty Park. You can walk along beautiful trails, have a picnic while breathing in the fresh air and taking beautiful pictures.

Along this more than 4-kilometer route around Krakow's Old Town you will see the Florian Gate, which served as the entrance to the city, as well as some statues of Polish historical figures and remains of the wall that protected Krakow. You will also pass through a small boulevard on the banks of the Vistula River, overlooking the Wawel Castle.

Walking along the green paths around the Old Town is ideal if you are in Krakow with children, because they can run around and enjoy nature and the outdoors. Without a doubt, it is a must-see destination that perfectly complements a tour of Krakow's Old Town, taking advantage of the fact that it is located in this area of the city.

Useful information

• Price: entrance to Planty Park is free.
• Opening hours: Planty Park is open 24 hours a day.

The Krakow Botanical Garden is the perfect place if you are interested in the world of plants. You can explore this small green lung during your stay and discover a great diversity of nature while enjoying a peaceful and fresh environment.

When you arrive at the garden you will see long walking paths, beautiful ponds and the following highlights:

• The arboretum: with over 1000 species of shrubs and trees.
• The Victoria Greenhouse: where aquatic species are grown.
• The Anniversary Greenhouse: with an important collection of about 50 palm trees, cycads, carnivorous plants and others such as olive trees.

Any time of the year is the best time to travel to Krakow and visit this natural space. It is located in the city center about 10 minutes walk from the Krakow market square and is part of the Krakow tourist bus route.

Useful information

• Price: approximately €3 per person.
• Opening hours: from April to October in Krakow, the Botanical Garden is open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. If you are in Krakow in November and until March, the opening hours are from 9:00 to 16:00.

Kosciuszko Mo und is an amazing place if you want to discover part of Poland's historical legacy, enjoy nature and get a breathtaking view of the whole of Krakow. You will explore this mound and climb to its top through a series of nature trails.

When you arrive at the Kościuszko Mound you will find a museum at the bottom, where you will have the opportunity to learn in depth about the history of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, an important Polish military leader. And you'll also get a bird's eye view of Krakow and its surroundings. Take advantage of the incredible scene to snap some photos.

Plus, with tickets to the Kościuszko Mound you'll gain access to the trails surrounding the mound, dotted with native vegetation and wildlife.

Useful information

• Price: the entrance fee to the Kościuszko Mound is approximately 5€ per person.
• Hours: if you are in Krakow in autumn or winter, access is usually from 6:00 to 18:00 hours. In spring and summer, the Kościuszko Mound is open from 6:00 to 20:00.